In this paper, I describe the history and tenants of existential therapy and relate these to my personal views on psychotherapy. I will expand on the purpose of therapy from an existential perspective, my role as an existential therapist, the clients’ perspective of existential therapy, and the client/counselor relationship in existential therapy. The benefits and inadequacies of existential therapy will be discussed with regard to multiculturalism. Lastly, I will highlight the effectiveness, treatment outcomes, and limitations of existential therapy. Emerging Theory Paper I find myself strongly pulled toward existential psychotherapy. I was first drawn to the therapy because of the person-centered and therapy-as-a-partnership aspects …show more content…
In the 1940s and 1950s, many Europeans struggled with existential issues such as isolation, alienation, and meaninglessness (Corey, 2017). Human limitations and the tragic dimensions of life were the focus of European existential philosophers at this time (Corey, 2017). In my opinion, it is important to have a strong understanding of how this theory came about from a historical and cultural sense so that I can become more aware of how this theory is biased. Many early writers had significant influences on the development of existential therapy. Danish philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard wrote about a concept called angst that has a meaning between dread and anxiety (Corey, 2017). Kierkegaard believed that this existential anxiety, as it became known, is not pathological (Corey, 2017). Instead, existential anxiety prompts us to create our true selves. Friedrich Nietzsche supported many of Kierkegaard’s notions, but took them a step further to declare that humans are not rational beings (Corey, 2017). We do ourselves harm to give up our sovereignty; however, if we tap into our power, we tap into the potential for creativity and originality (Corey, 2017). I really resonate with this idea that people create …show more content…
One notable philosopher was Viktor Frankl (Corey, 2017). Frankl developed a form of treatment called logotherapy which has central themes that revolve around life having meaning (Corey, 2017). We have the will to live, the freedom to find meaning, and we must integrate body, mind and spirit to be fully alive (Corey, 2017). Frankl was challenged to test this existential belief when he was imprisoned in Nazi concentration camps (Corey, 2017). Through his experiences, he came to believe that the freedom to choose one’s attitude and way cannot be taken away, in any circumstance (Corey, 2017). His story emphasizes the clinical applicability of this theory. My optimistic worldview illustrates this belief that we are free to find meaning in our own way in our own
The humanistic theory had much influence after the time of World War II toward the late 1950’s (Hansell & Damour, 2008). According to Dombeck, (2006), the humanistic approach was defined to be consciously reflective, allowing one to have the ability to experience self-determination. The humanistic approach combines philosophy, existentialism, and the hierarchy of needs that motivates every individual person on a unique level of growth potential; it worked to find the importance of life’s true meaning’s in an individual’s life for human characteristic (Dombeck, 2006). For obsessional-compulsion disorder, the goal of humanistic therapy is to create a suitable environment for the patient that will allow him or her to develop, mature, and evolve
Existentialists believe that “to live is to suffer; to survive is to find meaning in the suffering”. Despite all the horrific experiences in the concentration, Viktor Frankl is determined to not lose the significance of his life and succumb to the cruelty of his situation. With the use of three literary techniques- argumentation, rhetoric, and style- Frankl gives his proposition warrant that a man will not find meaning in his life by searching for it; he must give his life significance by answering questions life asks him.
Existentialism as a distinct philosophical and literary movement belongs to the 19th and 20th centuries. Although existentialism is impossible to define, some of its common themes can be identified. One of the major theme is the stress on concrete individual existence and, consequently, on subjectivity, individual freedom, and choice. 19th century Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, was the first writer to call himself existential. He wrote in his journal, "I must find a truth that is true for me . . . the idea for which I can live or die.
The clinicians that use the approach of the humanistic-existential model believe that to function properly, humans, throughout their lives, have a need to develop perceptions and beliefs about oneself and to accept and value their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors regardless of the consequences (Comer, 2016, pg. 58). Humanists argue that people are born good and over the course of their lives, they seek to fulfill their potential known as self-actualization (Comer, 2016, pg. 58). Existentialists believe that human comes to this world with the ability and freedom to choose their destiny and give purpose to their lives (Comer, 2016, pg. 58). From both perspectives, practitioners consider abnormality to be rooted in childhood as a result of
“The goal of reality therapy is to help clients get reconnected with the people they have chosen to include in their quality worlds and to teach clients choice theory” (Corey, 2013, p. 183). Letting clients understand that they have a choice in their lives will help them gain control. Furthermore, “the goal of existential therapy is to challenge clients to recognize and accept the freedom they have to become the authors of their own lives” (Corey, 2013, p. 74). As individuals, we have to face different aspects of life such as isolation, freedom, and responsibility. Helping a client through their struggles and acknowledge these life struggles may help guide the client to a positive point in their lives.
Existential therapy through the eyes of Dr. Yalom is very fascinating. There is never a fixed life that each person is supposed to live. In his therapy the clients are allowed to find out for themselves what it is they need by receiving adequate questioning from Dr. Yalom. His questioning guides them down the existential path to freedom and responsibility.
Existential therapy is concerned with one’s being; the world in which they live, the implication of time, and the mindfulness of being whole. The basic dimensions of the human condition, according to the existential approach, include (1) the capacity for self-awareness; (2) freedom and responsibility; (3) creating one’s identity and establishing meaningful relationships with other; (4) the search for meaning, purpose, values, and goals; (5) anxiety as a condition of living; and (6) awareness of death and nonbeing. All give significance to living and explore the degree to which a client is doing the things they value.
Barton, A. (1974). Three worlds of therapy: An existential-phenomenological study of the therapies of freud, jung, and rogers ([1st ed. ed.). Palo Alto, Calif: National Press Books.
Existential therapy focuses on the positive approach of looking at an individual as whole, incorporating multiple factors and tendencies to applaud human capacities and acknowledgement. Fridrich Nietzsche is a philosopher who is known as the founder of existential theory by theorizing that any individual can overcome any event or concern through internal wisdom and self powerment. In fact, I believe existential therapy is closely related and are similar to multiple approaches, such as the humanistic approach by looking at the concept of individuals having moral, internal ethical values which drives their behavior in a positive aspect. Due to this, existential therapy focuses on the good within individuals bringing out positive attributions
Existentialism is the epitome of the unknown. There is no straightforward explanation of what exactly it is, there is only certain characteristics and behaviors that describe existentialist views. Throughout today’s world, there are examples of it everywhere, it’s found in movies, books, songs, and just people in general. Existentialists are known to think and do for themselves only. They believe that to understand what it means to be human requires understanding of themselves first. Some very well known pieces of entertainment existentialism is found in are: Hamlet by William Shakespeare, The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Stranger by Albert Camus, and The Breakfast Club by John Hughes. The Stranger is a book written about a young man whose mother dies, which soon leads him to becoming acquainted with the feeling of not caring about what his actions do to others or himself. The main character Meursault starts helping his friend Raymond, carry out ways to torment his mistress. Out of nowhere while at the beach, Meursault shoots Raymond’s mistress’s brother. He is thrown into jail and tried, but he seems to not be affected as much as he should about his actions. He first finds it hard to live without cigarettes, women, and nature, but he soon finds out he doesn’t need any of those. After being sentenced to death, he is suggested to turn away from his atheism but later realizes that human existence has no greater meaning. This realization and acceptance is what truly makes him happy (Camus). Next, The Breakfast Club is a very relatable movie about high school students suffering the consequences of their actions in detention. The kids are all of ...
Existential Therapy was chosen to assist Bonnie with her Issues. Existential therapy is a more effective approach because it deals with concrete issues. The theory focuses on the attitudes of individuals and important life themes. This type of therapy help individuals cope with everyday issues by understanding oneself, taking responsibility for oneself, and finding meaning in life. Existential therapy would be a great approach to address Bonnie’s depression, and anxiety symptoms, which stems from low self-esteem. The existential approach will help Bonnie with her depression by recognizing that she is depressed and accepting her feelings. Once, the depression is recognized than therapy will assist Bonnie with her anxiety by confronting unexpected events. Lastly, existential therapy will help Bonne with her self-esteem by finding meaning in life and becoming more self-aware.
In existential the focus is on assisting individuals on becoming authors of their own lives with the philosophical framework of what it means to be human. Psychodrama allows individuals to explore problems through role play to develop new behavioral skills. Gestalt therapy warrants the here-and-now, bringing unfinished business to the present, allowing individuals to deal with those problems now. Person-centered approach concentrates on self-exploration, learning to accept one’s self, and determining avenues to take to change. Collectively, I found the most valuable and meaningful aspects of experiential and relationship oriented approaches to be self-exploration and bringing unfinished business to the present to help individuals deal with those problems
Existential therapy is a technique that brings awareness to the power of our choices. “This existential approach has opened the way for a more agentic view of human nature and has taken into consideration some of the most fundamental concerns of humanity, which were previously underappreciated in the field of psychology” (Bartz, 2009, p.70). It has been shown to be successful in a variety of groups. Some of these groups are; children, people who have been adopted, incarcerated youth, and victims or culprits of abuse. One doesn’t have to only use one theory or approach during their practice. When it comes to existential therapy, the person using the approach can adapt their interventions to fit their style and personality. At the end of the day, it’s about what will work for the
Further to the meaning of existentialism, Frankl emphasizes that logotherapy is not only an analysis of the client, but it is also a therapy in which the therapist and client enter into guided therapy as the client begins to determine their purpose and how they can accomplish this through changes in behavior and thought. In the article, Frankl also presents existential therapy not in opposition to Freud’s psychoanalysis but in addition to Freud’s work, stating that “psychoanalysis promotes the self-understanding of man” (Frankl, 1967). As Frankl expresses in the paper, “there are just as many existential therapies as therapist” (Frankl, 1967) but in the textbook Burger shares that Frankl is so aligned with existentialism that he would be labeled as an existential psychologist (Burger, 2015).
The ideas used to interpret this play are not classically Freudian, but rather a more contemporary understanding of psychodynamics as influenced by modern existential theory. The ideas of Ernest Becker, one of the more influential figures in the new psychoanalysis, are used throughout this psychological examination.